Blackfriars Guide

The area in the southwest corner of the city of London is called by the name Blackfriars because of the well known station for the London Underground and National Rail Station. Blackfriars station sits near the Blackfriars Bridge over the Thames. Blackfriars Station was originally opened as St. Paul's sited by St. Paul's Railway Bridge across the River Thames. The St. Paul's Bridge was built as a supplemental transport line to the Blackfriars' Bridge which had been constructed in 1864. In 1937, St. Paul's Station was renamed Blackfriars Station. The old Blackfriars' Bridge was allowed to deteriorate to the point where only the pillars remain, the planking having been removed in 1985. St Paul's Bridge is now known as Blackfriars Bridge.

The area was named after a group of Dominican friars who relocated from their Holborn area priority to the area between the Thames and Ludgate Hill. Although the move took place in 1276, the term 'Blackfriars' wasn't used until 1317. The name 'Blackfriars' referred to their long black hooded cloak over their white habits. The friars with the approval of Edward I, rebuilt the London city wall around their area. The enclosed area was important in the history of London, with meetings of Parliament and the Privy Council held there, as well as the divorce hearings of Henry VIII and Catharine of Aragon. The Blackfriars priory was finally closed in 1538 as part of Henry's dissolution of the monasteries.

Later, some of the buildings on the grounds were leased by a group of businessmen who used the facilities as the home of the famous Blackfriars Theatre. The small theater measured only 46 feet long by 25 feet wide and was originally the buttery building for the monastery. Performances there were originally by child actors purportedly practicing for plays to be presented to the Queen. The '1st Theatre' run was from about 1576 to 1585.

The '2nd Theatre' run began early in the 1600's, but not before it had weathered several conflicts and lawsuits from groups seeking to control the property. The 2nd Theatre was formed from the renovated dining room or frater of the former priority and the rooms below. The space measured 100 feet long and 50 feet wide and featured two galleries to expand seating. The acting company was made up of children, ostensibly to provide entertainment for the Royals.

Ben Jonson, Thomas Middleton, Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher are just some of the famous writers who presented their works at the theater. The buildings were demolished in 1655.

Shakespeare's Globe Theater was nearby - just across the Thames. In 1632, the former guesthouse for the monastery was acquired by the Society of Apothecaries who established the headquarters. Although the original building was destroyed during the Great Fire of London, Apothecaries Hall was rebuilt and is still standing in the area.

Now, the most famous landmark in the area is Blackfriars Station. The station is the northern bridgehead for both Blackfriars Railway Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge. On the north side of the river, the Victoria Embankment runs west from the Station to the Westminster Bridge.